Allium plant named ‘Noneuq’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Allium  plant named ‘Noneuq’ characterized by its compact habit, its strap-like glossy leaves, and its umbels of numerous dark purple-pink flowers.

Botanical classification: Allium tanguticum.

Variety denomination: ‘Noneuq’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Alliumplant, botanically known as Allium tanguticum ‘Noneuq’ and will bereferred to hereinafter by its cultivar name, ‘Noneuq’. The new cultivarof Allium is a hardy herbaceous perennial grown for use as a landscapeand container plant.

‘Noneuq’ was discovered in summer 2005 as a naturally occurring wholeplant mutation of Allium tanguticum ‘Summer Beauty’ (not patented) inthe Inventor's trial garden in Nunica, Mich. Allium tanguticum is alsolisted by the synonym Allium senescens subsp. montanum, however ‘SummerBeauty’ is most commonly listed in commerce as a cultivar of Alliumtanguticum.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was first accomplished by bulbdivision in Nunica, Mich. in July of 2005. Propagation has determinedthe characteristics to be stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the characteristics of the new cultivar. These attributes incombination distinguish ‘Noneuq’ as a unique cultivar of Allium.

-   -   1. ‘Noneuq’ exhibits umbels of numerous flowers that are dark        purple-pink in color.    -   2. ‘Noneuq’ exhibits a compact, short habit due to its leaves        that are short in length, reaching an average of 9 inches in        length.    -   3. ‘Noneuq’ exhibits leaves that are strap-like with a glossy        appearance.

‘Noneuq’ can be most closely compared to its parent, ‘Summer Beauty’.‘Summer Beauty’ differs from ‘Noneuq’ in having longer leaves, a lesscompact and taller plant height, a lower number of flowers per umbel andin having flowers that are lighter lavender-pink in color. ‘Noneuq’ canalso be compared to the cultivar ‘Blue Skies’ (not patented). ‘BlueSkies’ differs from ‘Noneuq’ in being taller in height with longerleaves, in having a less compact habit, and in having flowers that arelighter lavender-pink in color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceand distinct characteristics of the new Allium. The photographs weretaken in July of 2 year-old plants of ‘Noneuq’ as grown in a trial bedin full sun in Nunica, Mich.

The photograph in FIG. 1 provides a view of ‘Noneuq’ in bloom andillustrates its compact plant habit.

The photograph in FIG. 2 provides a close-up view of 2 leaves of‘Noneuq’.

The photograph in FIG. 3 provides a view of a single flowering stem of‘Noneuq’.

The photograph in FIG. 4 provides a view of inflorescences of ‘Noneuq’on the bottom and inflorescences of the parent, ‘Summer Beauty’ on thetop.

The colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color valuescited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describethe colors of the new Allium.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the new cultivar as observedon 2 year-old plants of ‘Noneuq’ as grown in a trial bed in full sun inNunica, Mich. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variationsin environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, as it has not beentested under all possible environmental conditions. The colordetermination is in accordance with The 2001 R.H.S. Colour Chart of TheRoyal Horticultural Society, London, England, except where general colorterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   General description:    -   -   Blooming habit.—June to July in Michigan.        -   Plant habit.—Herbaceous, perennial bulb with a tightly clump            forming, compact and vase-shaped habit.        -   Height and spread.—An average of 18 to 24 inches in height            in bloom with foliage an average of 15 cm in height, reaches            a spread of about 24 inches.        -   Hardiness.—At least in U.S.D.A. Zones 4b to 8b.        -   Diseases and pests.—No unique aspects concerning            susceptibility or resistance to diseases or pests has been            observed.        -   Root description.—Fibrous from base of bulbs.        -   Branching.—Stem-less, tufted shoots arise from bulbs.        -   Bulb description.—Oval-conical in shape, an average of 1½            inches in length and 1¼ inches in width, 155A in color and            covered with dried foliage 165C in color.-   Growth and propagation:    -   -   Propagation.—Bulb division.        -   Growth rate.—Vigorous.-   Foliage description:    -   -   Leaf shape.—Linear.        -   Leaf division.—Simple.        -   Leaf base.—Truncate to bulb.        -   Leaf apex.—Acute.        -   Leaf aspect.—Primarily upright.        -   Leaf venation.—Parallel, not prominent or conspicuous, color            matches leaf color.        -   Leaf margins.—Entire.        -   Leaf fragrance.—Onion scented.        -   Leaf attachment and arrangement.—Sessile, arise in tufts            from bulb.        -   Leaf substance.—Semi-succulent.        -   Leaf size.—¼ to ⅜ inch in width and 8 to 10 inches in length            when mature.        -   Leaf surface.—Glabrous and shiny on upper and lower surface.        -   Leaf color.—141B (Upper and Lower surfaces, immature and            mature).-   Flower description:    -   -   Inflorescence type.—Terminal umbel.        -   Lastingness of inflorescence.—About one month.        -   Inflorescence size.—An average of 1 inch in depth and 2            inches in diameter.        -   Flower fragrance.—Onion scented.        -   Flower number.—Average of 60 per inflorescence, one            inflorescence per stem, 20 to 30 per plant.        -   Flower aspect.—Upright to outward, dependant on location of            the inflorescence.        -   Flower bud.—An average of ¼ inch in length and 3/16 inches            in width, conical in shape, 75A in color.        -   Flower form.—Campanulate.        -   Flower size.—An average of ¼ inch in length and width.        -   Tepals.—6, ovate in shape, about ¼ inch in length and 3/16            inch in width, apex acute, base rounded, entire margins,            when opening and mature, upper and lower surface; 83B in            color in center blending to edges 76A, surface is glabrous            on upper and lower surface.        -   Peduncles (flower stem).—Oval in shape, strong, an average            of 13 inches in length and ⅛ inch in width, primary held            upright, glabrous surface, 141B in color.        -   Pedicels.—Oval in shape, an average of ¼ inch in length and            1/32 inch in width, glabrous surface, 141C in color, surface            glabrous.Reproductive Organs:        -   Gynoecium.—3 pistils, ⅛ inch in length, stigmas broad, 1.8            inch in width and 75A in color, styles ⅛ inch in length and            75A in color, ovary ⅛ inch in diameter and 155A in color.        -   Androcoecium.—5 stamens, ¼ to ⅜ inch in length, filaments            are 1/32 inch in width and 75B in color, pollen is moderate            in quantity and 12A in color.        -   Fruit.—Rounded aggregate fruit, 202A in color, an average of            3/16 inch in height and width.

1. A new and distinct variety of Allium plant named ‘Noneuq’ asdescribed and illustrated herein.